Carthage 5, Chicago 1
Chicago 5, Carthage 2

The Carthage College softball team (17-13, 7-3 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) split a Thursday, April 21 doubleheader with non-conference opponent the University of Chicago (19-9) at the Stagg Field Complex in Chicago. The Lady Reds won the opening game, 5-2, but fell to the Maroons by a 5-1 margin in the nightcap.

In the first game, Carthage came back from a 2-0 deficit with a five-run sixth inning. Stephanie Schafer (Jr., Burlington, Wis.) hit a three-run home run to give the Lady Reds the lead. Kari Peterson followed with an RBI-double, and Alyse Mikolas added another run-scoring double. That was enough support for Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (So., Des Plaines, Ill., Elk Grove, 14-5), who limited the Maroons to two runs on eight hits and a walk. Schafer went two-for-four with the three-run homer, while Peterson, Mikolas and Vicki Pyan had two hits each. Kim Cygan (6-6) took the loss.

In the second game, Chicago broke a scoreless ties with a five-run fourth inning off Lady Reds starter Tricia O'Keefe (Sr., Franksville, Wis./Union Grove, 1-3). Julia Covello hit an RBI-double, Julia Schneider an RBI-single, and Liz Payonk drilled a two-run double. Carthage scored a run in the sixth on a solo home run by Alyssa Schrader (Jr., Plainfield, Ill./South), her fifth of the year. The Maroons capped off the scoring with a run in the sixth off relief pitcher Schrader. O'Keefe allowed four runs on eight hits. Sarah Neuhaus (7-2) was the winning pitcher. She limited the Lady Reds to one run on five hits. Julia Schneider went three-for-four with an RBI for Chicago.

Carthage travels to Naperville, Ill., on Monday, April 25 to play CCIW-opponent and No. 24 North Central College in a 3 p.m. twinbill at the Shanower Family Softball Field. Monday's game is a make-up from a set postponed on Tuesday, April 19.